French interior minister tries to calm police protest anger

October 19, 2016 - 10:33 AM

PARIS - France's interior minister has met with police union leaders in an effort to restore calm following two nights of angry demonstrations by officers protesting a lack of equipment and rising anti-police violence.

Bernard Cazeneuve met with the powerful union bosses on Wednesday, pledging to open an official consultation from Monday with police units to increase security and protection for police officers. Recommendations will be implemented in 2017.

Police around the country are exhausted following 11 uninterrupted months of a national state of emergency linked to deadly jihadi attacks.

Officers have accused Cazeneuve and Prime Minister Manuel Valls of failing provide the resources they need to do their jobs.

But national police chief Jean-Marc Falcone has denounced the protests and announced he is opening a public investigation into the action.

OPINION Editor, This is a busy time of year, but I find it’s also a time of reflection, particularly as January marks the end of my two-year term as Chair and my 10 years serving on the Board of Interior